George Clooney is reportedly struggling with the “gut-punch” death of Presley Gerber, who was like a “second son” to him.
Presley, the son of model Cindy Crawford and George’s business partner and best friend Rande Gerber, died aged 27 of a suspected drug overdose on Sunday.
George, who has known Rande since the 1990s and co-founded the tequila company Casamigos with him in 2013, had been a big part of Presley’s life and had a special “bond” with him.
The Hollywood actor feels “sick” over the model’s death and has been spotted consoling Cindy and Rande at their Los Angeles home since the tragedy.
“George wears his heart on his sleeve, and he really, really loved Presley. It was an incredibly painful and unwanted surprise, and honestly, a tremendous gut punch for George,” a source told The Mail.
“He is sick over this because Rande is his best friend and everyone felt for Presley. There is no anger or shame, just deep sadness. Presley had a real problem with depression and anxiety. No one can fault him for that. Presley was living a nightmare.”
The Clooneys and Gerbers have been close for decades, with the Gerbers visiting George in Italy, the families hanging out at each other’s houses in LA and more recently, going for dinners in New York.
“George would spend hours talking to Presley. Especially after Presley got a DUI [in 2018], George would advise, ‘Don't do that, it's not smart. Be careful,’” the insider said.
“More recently, George shared loving notes like, ‘I am here for you,’ that kind of stuff. They were close. Presley was more than just a friend's kid; they had a bond.”
George’s support for Presley came after his own experiences with drugs in the early 1980s as a young actor.
He told Esquire last year that he “would joke about doing too many drugs” but stressed that it was “never a big issue for me”.
Presley died at a rehab facility at the weekend after years of drug addiction. His death is being investigated by Santa Monica police as a suspected overdose.
His parents said in a statement: "The family is asking for privacy during this very difficult and painful time."
In 2019, Presley was arrested for driving under the influence. He was sentenced to three years’ probation and ordered to complete a Driving Under the Influence (DUI) programme, as well as two days of community service, according to The Guardian.
He had spoken about his mental health issues and drug use.
He told the Studio 22 podcast in 2023: "Having struggled with mental health, depression and some other things that come along with that, I think that whether I help one person or a hundred people get out of that place that I was in at one point in my life, that's all I need to do."
His model sister Kaia, 25, spoke about her brother’s “decade-long struggle with drug addiction” in the September 2026 issue of Vogue.
“When something like that happens in a family, it kind of levels everyone,” Kaia told the fashion magazine.
“I think that’s also why I started to self-identify as the easy one and never wanted to ask for help. Because it felt like too much to have two children who were needing.”
:: Frank offers confidential advice about drugs and addiction (email [email protected], message 82111 or call 0300 123 6600) or the NHS has information about getting help.
